What is 'housebound'??

Biblioklept · January 22

Do you think of yourself as housebound??

I used to consider myself housebound because I couldn't leave the house at all, but now I get out for occassional walks and to some medical appointments, although I can't do it reliably or regularly and still consider myself housebound but think I probably shouldn't anymore!

It made me realise that when other people use the term they could mean different things too. What does housebound mean to you?? Do you consider yourself to be housebound?

I'm most definitely over thinking it but I'm genuinely curious!

OverlyAnxious · January 22

This is a term I struggle with too. I do use it as a quick way to explain why I can't travel to places, but feel uncomfortable using it.

In my case, I can still get outside at specific times of day, under specific conditions, with a lot of preparation, and only for a short amount of time.

But I can't get anywhere 'meaningful'. What I mean by that is I can't get to a shop, or a Doctors, or even a post office. I can just walk around a few houses in a housing estate.

I feel bad using it because of people who are stuck in bed all day for example…but then I wonder whether they'd be classed as bedbound rather than housebound? And that could have various meanings as well… Some people literally can't get out of bed. Others have to spend almost all day in bed, but can get to the loo or the kitchen once or twice a day.

Ultimately I think language will depend on who you're speaking to at the time, and how they will interpret it, as well as how you intend it.

(As a slight tangent, someone referred to me as 'non-verbal' last year and I felt slightly shocked by it, and again uncomfortable because of people in worse situations than mine. But then I realised I haven't spoken to anyone for about 4 years, and can't even talk to myself out loud, so I suppose that does count as non-verbal. I just never thought of it like that as I hear other voices every day on the radio or TV, and forget that I'm not contributing outside of my own head!)

Biblioklept · January 22

I was hoping you'd reply @OverlyAnxious as I know you're in a similar situation to me and I think we see things quite similarly sometimes too! I use it because it's the simplest explanation but it does feel uncomfortable and I've had the same thoughts about bedbound vs housebound too!

Tbh I don't like any of the terms 😅

Ooooh the non-verbal thing is interesting, years ago I was called this too!! Which is quite funny to me because actually I could chat for England, I just can't! I've also been referred to as having selective-mutism (which is a crazy name for the condition but that's a separate tangent!) and I don't think that fits either. Maybe there just aren't names for people like us?!? 😁

In fact even when I was diagnosed with agoraphobia I never felt like it quite fit or made sense as a diagnosis for me either!!

Kimi87 · January 22

I consider my Mum housebound, for several years now she occasionally gets out to Outpatients appointments via hospital transport, or gets admitted via ambulance, but she doesn't otherwise leave her flat.

OverlyAnxious · January 22

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1096550#Comment_1096550

Yes, agoraphobia is another one that didn't seem quite right to me either. Though I think that was due to my own lack of understanding about the condition at the time.

I later learnt that it's not simply about being outside. It's a more general fear of being 'trapped' that can happen anywhere, in any situation, at any time. And that definition does fit me. Unfortunately most people won't know that in general conversation though. And trying to explain to 'normal' people that I regularly get worse agoraphobia inside my own flat than I do outside hasn't been successful so far.

I think you're right about us over-thinking these words though. The main point of them is just to make our situation quickly understandable to another person, so whatever that person is most likely to understand in that moment is probably the best word to use at that time. 🙂

66Mustang · January 22

I started thinking about the word when I met someone at a group last year who referred to themselves as housebound. I jokingly asked if they lived at the hospital? 🤔🤣 And they explained a bit about it to me

Nightcity · January 22

I leave home only for important appointments, such as the GP when the symptoms are so concerning or significant they could potentially be something dangerous, otherwise I get on with it or get a phone appointment with him as he's one of the very few people I can communicate with "normally"

Due to my autism and significant panic disorder when I even see a person I don't know I won't leave home unless as above it's vital.

This has all been the case for 20 years now, getting worse as times gone on, I think my neighbours nasty abusive behaviour two addresses back caused it and despite it being 20 years ago And different addresses I couldn't beat it, and some of those people are actually now dead too but once the damage is done etc.

I of course always had limitations before that because of my conditions but at least I got out to my grandparents or nighttime walks etc

Amberpearl · January 22

I also struggle to go out

Aprt from medical appointments and the occasional visit to my kids

I never leave the house or see anyone

Money lack of

Anxiety and pain

Yani09 · January 22

Interesting.. I can’t go out alone independently.. even in a power chair. Housebound without a carer to assist.. and only occasionally or medical appointments etc..

Yet.. prior to my decline..

I considered it to mean someone not able to leave the house without Assistance.. eeek. Have I described my own predicament. Good food for thought question.

xodza · January 23

good morning another day can’t remember last time actually went out can be very hard when in chronic pain when try walk

Biblioklept · January 23

For anyone like me that gets out occasionally, like for a walk around the block or medical appointments, do you ever return home and get a sense of dread before going in the door? Like my home is my safe space but sometimes the transition from being out to being in fills me with dread.

I think I'd be quite outdoorsy if it wasn't for the housebound-ness 😅

@Kimi87 is your mum able to have people in? for example could she let you visit? Weirdly I find the idea of someone coming in to my house even harder than the idea of me going out!!

I agree about agoraphobia @OverlyAnxious, when I first was diagnosed I looked it up and it was defined as fear of large open spaces and I didnt understand that at all, it's not necessarily the being outside I don't like!! Being trapped is a much better explanation!

@66Mustang that made me giggle and it's exactly why I try and say "recovering from agoraphobia" instead of being agoraphobic as people (especially medical professionals which is crazy!!) always reply with "Well you're outside now??" When I add the caveat that I'm recovering from they seem to understand that it's incredibly difficult for me and understand it more, when I say I have it they just treat me like I'm lying or insane 🤷‍♀️

Sorry about your neighbours @Nightcity!! I've luckily never had anything like that, I can't really pin point a cause which is probably good but also makes it hard to understand I guess. I've been waaaayyy worse than I am now but also way better, I stay hopeful I can get back to a better balance as I want to see more than my four walls - in fact I'd love to see the world!

@Amberpearl it's interesting you mentioned money, do you think if you had all the money in the world it would make it easier for you to go? I kind of get that a bit because it gives freedom of movement and less feeling trapped. I bet your kids are happy you're able to see them sometimes ❤️

@xodza is pain your main barrier to going out?? Is there anything that eases it?

Kimi87 · January 23

Yes my Mum is able to have visitors.

Family, her home help, chiropodist, sheltered housing staff, carers, adult services, community nurses, specialty nurses all go in.

She already had a significant number of physical health problems, then developed what I would call agoraphobia for several years due to mental health difficulties.

What began as only leaving her home rarely under very certain circumstances (medical appointments designed to keep her physically as well as possible) fell away, then she would continually cancel medical appointments which led to a decline in her physical health. An avoidable accident last year while an inpatient has only increased her frailty.

OverlyAnxious · January 23

That's interesting @Biblioklept. I can't remember getting a feeling of dread before opening the front door to return. Although for me there's a 'semi-public' section of carpark and communal areas to walk through between the outside world and my flat. That's often the most difficult part as I never know if there'll be a neighbour or a courier or a tradesperson etc blocking my path (and therefore trapping me in an uncontrollable situation!). As I've mentioned before, I do also dread the key not working in the door lock and trapping me just inches away from the flat as well.

Like you, I find visitors much more difficult than going out. But to this day, none of them understand that and I find it infuriating tbh! I used to travel to other peoples properties for visits when I could drive. Or would meet others outside for a walk or to do some sort of DIY task. Again that's all about feeling trapped in a situation. If someone is in my property, there is nowhere I can escape to. Though if I'm outside with them then theoretically I could escape that immediate situation. Sadly, the decline in my physical mobility, and losing the ability to drive, both mean that I can't really escape any situation now. My increase in agoraphobia has been caused by physical decline, rather than anything mental or through choice.

What is 'housebound'??

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